UPCOMING CCSS LEADERSHIP COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE SESSION OPEN TO LEADERS AT ALL LEVELS

The CCSS Leadership Community of Practice is a year-long, eight-session workshop series designed to assist school and district leaders in effective implementation of the Common Core State Standards. The next session in the series, entitled “CT Core Standards: Implications for Special Education, Scientific Research-Based Interventions & English Learners,” will be held on December 15, 2014. Whether you participated in the previous two sessions or are a newcomer, you are most welcome to join us for this workshop. MORE

How do you cope with the ever increasing challenges of educational administration? What do you do when you’re not sure what to do? Where do you turn when you need someone to listen objectively and in confidence, someone who will be able to ask the right questions to help you draw your own conclusions about what to do next? The Connecticut Association of Schools is offering you the opportunity to talk through the challenges you routinely face with a leadership consultant.MORE

Do you know a retired CAS or EMSPAC administrator who might be interested in catching up with former colleagues? If so, please encourage him/her to join us for a special luncheon on Monday, December 8, 2014, at noon. The event is designed to re-connect retired school leaders to one another and to the profession. An invitation can be downloaded from the CAS website.

For the past eighteen months, a diverse group of educators have worked to develop a statewide framework for social studies across the elementary and secondary continuum. The state department of education has released a draft of this document and is inviting public comment before the final version goes to the state board for approval. The review window is scheduled to close on December 1st; however, the department has announced that it will continue to accept comments past the published deadline. MORE

In light of Ebola’s potential impact on schools and their students and staff, Shipman & Goodwin LLP has published a School Law Alert containing resources and recommendations to help in the handling of Ebola-related issues. The alert warns that schools should take care to avoid stereotypical and/or discriminatory acts when addressing Ebola concerns. MORE

Research shows that emotions matter in schools. They drive learning, decision-making, creativity, relationships and health. The Seedlings Institute for School Leaders at the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence is an opportunity for superintendents and their teams to learn about the positive impact emotional intelligence can have on school culture and student success. This 3-day institute, which will be held at Yale in July 2015, will provide leadership teams with innovative strategies and tools to build emotional intelligence in all stakeholders in their districts. Registration will be limited to eight superintendents and their teams. Thanks to funding from the Seedlings Foundation, which covers meals, lodging and parking for each 3-person team, the cost is only $500 per person. MORE

Are you planning for retirement? Do you need guidance? Attend the Choosing Your Retirement Path Seminar on December 2nd at the CAS office. This no-cost, educational presentation, sponsored by New York Life, will examine financial concerns you may face in retirement and explore possible solutions. MORE